Barclays Appoints New Oil & Gas Relationship Director

In his new role, Couchman will be responsible for the management of corporate banking relationships with organisations active in the Exploration & Production (E&P) and oil and gas service sectors. His appointment reflects Barclays commitment to continuing growth of its oil and gas activities this year and in the future.

Couchman joins Barclays having held senior roles with a range of international financial organisations and was most recently Senior Director, Oil and Gas, with Bayerische Landesbank (BayernLB). Previously, he was Head of Energy, Power and Natural Resources with Europe Arab Bank, and Vice President, Relationship / Transaction Management with ING Bank.

Walter Cumming, Head of Oil and Gas, Corporate Banking, said: 'Colin is a highly experienced and well-established oil and gas banking professional, with strong sector knowledge garnered from a very successful career in the energy industry.

'He has excellent international banking contacts at all levels and across a wide range of organisations from large multinationals to smaller, independent E&P companies, and oil and gas service providers.

'The wealth of experience he brings to Barclays in all aspects of relationship management – including research, origination, structuring and negotiation through to closing – will help ensure the corporate banking services provided by Barclays remain the most sought-after in the energy sector'.

Couchman said: 'Barclays is in an exceptionally strong position to provide highly competitive and tailored services to its oil and gas clients, at a particularly exciting time for the energy industry. Oil and gas organisations of all sizes face a variety of challenges, while technological advances and longer-term stability within commodity prices will continue to provide opportunities that could not previously have been foreseen.

'I’m determined to assist our clients in bringing real value not only to their businesses but to the sector as a as a whole, while supporting the continuing success and projected growth for Barclays Oil and Gas Team'.